U.S. patent application number 14/337366 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-13 for battery pack.
The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Dae-Yon MOON, Han-Jun WANG.
Application Number | 20150228960 14/337366 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53775735 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150228960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; Han-Jun ; et
al. |
August 13, 2015 |
BATTERY PACK
Abstract
A battery pack includes a plurality of battery units located
side by side along a first direction, each battery unit of the
plurality of battery units having an upper portion on which an
electrode pin is located, a protective circuit module located on
and electrically connected to each of the battery units, and a
spacer including a first portion between adjacent battery units
among the battery units and a second portion that extends from the
first portion to the protective circuit module, the second portion
being in a space between the adjacent battery units and the
protective circuit module.
Inventors: |
WANG; Han-Jun; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; MOON; Dae-Yon; (Yongin-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD. |
Yongin-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53775735 |
Appl. No.: |
14/337366 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
429/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 2/14 20130101; H01M
10/486 20130101; H01M 10/425 20130101; H01M 2/34 20130101; H01M
2220/30 20130101; H01M 2200/00 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M
2/1061 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 2/34 20060101
H01M002/34; H01M 2/10 20060101 H01M002/10; H01M 10/48 20060101
H01M010/48; H01M 2/14 20060101 H01M002/14; H01M 2/02 20060101
H01M002/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 11, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0015642 |
Claims
1. A battery pack, comprising: a plurality of battery units located
side by side along a first direction, each battery unit of the
plurality of battery units having an upper portion on which an
electrode pin is located; a protective circuit module located on
and electrically connected to each of the battery units; and a
spacer including a first portion between adjacent battery units
among the battery units and a second portion that extends from the
first portion to the protective circuit module, the second portion
being in a space between the adjacent battery units and the
protective circuit module.
2. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
portion of the spacer extends along a direction that is
substantially perpendicular to a length direction of the first
portion of the spacer.
3. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
portion of the spacer contacts a top surface of at least one of the
adjacent battery units and contacts a bottom surface of the
protective circuit module.
4. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of battery units includes: a can having an opening
therein; an electrode assembly that is accommodated in the can
through the opening, the electrode assembly including a first
electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate
having a second polarity, the second polarity being different from
the first polarity, and a separator interposed between the first
and second electrode plates; and a cap plate that seals the
opening, wherein the electrode pin extends from the cap plate in an
upward direction.
5. The battery pack as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the electrode
pin has the first polarity, and the cap plate has the second
polarity.
6. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of battery units includes a holder including a
temperature-sensing element that is electrically connected to the
electrode pin.
7. The battery pack as claimed in claim 6, wherein a height of the
second portion of the spacer is substantially the same as a height
of the holder.
8. The battery pack as claimed in claim 6, wherein: each of the
plurality of battery units includes a first electrode tab on the
upper portion of the battery unit and a second electrode tab that
is electrically connected to the temperature-sensing element, and
the first and second electrode tabs directly contact the protective
circuit module.
9. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
case that accommodates the battery units, the protective circuit
module, and the spacer.
10. The battery pack as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spacer is
fixed to the case.
11. A battery pack, comprising: a plurality of battery units, each
including a top surface having a first polarity and an electrode
pin having a second polarity that is different from the first
polarity; a protective circuit module that is located on and
electrically connected to each of the battery units; and a spacer
between adjacent battery units among the battery units, the spacer
extending to the protective circuit module such that one end of the
spacer supports a bottom surface of the protective circuit
module.
12. The battery pack as claimed in claim 11, wherein the spacer
includes: a first portion between the adjacent battery units; and a
second portion that contacts and supports the bottom surface of the
protective circuit module.
13. The battery pack as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first
portion of the spacer and the second portion of the spacer are
perpendicular to each other.
14. The battery pack as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second
portion of the spacer contacts a top surface of at least one of the
adjacent battery units and contacts the bottom surface of the
protective circuit module.
15. The battery pack as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first
portion and the second portion of the spacer constitute a "T"
shape.
16. The battery pack as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the
plurality of battery units includes: a can having an opening
therein, the can being formed of a metal material; an electrode
assembly that is accommodated in the can through the opening, the
electrode assembly including a first electrode plate having the
first polarity, a second electrode plate having the second
polarity, and a separator between the first and second electrode
plates; and a cap plate that seals the opening and forms the top
surface of each battery unit, wherein the electrode pin extends
from the cap plate in an upward direction.
17. The battery pack as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the
battery units includes a holder including a temperature-sensing
element that is electrically connected to the electrode pin.
18. The battery pack as claimed in claim 17, wherein the holder is
between the top surface of each battery unit and the bottom surface
of the protective circuit module.
19. The battery pack as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a
case that accommodates the battery units, the protective circuit
module, and the spacer.
20. The battery pack as claimed in claim 19, wherein the spacer is
fixed to the case.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0015642, filed on Feb.
11, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled:
"Battery Pack," is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] One or more embodiments relate to a battery pack.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Use of portable computers that operate based on internal
power supplied from batteries has dramatically increased due to the
development of wireless communication technologies such as the
Internet. In general, since the portable computers are small and
easy to carry, that is, they have high mobility, the portable
computers are widely used for business or personal purposes in
various places. As the portable computers include battery packs,
they may be used irrespective of the area of use and connection to
land power sources. A battery pack may have a plurality of battery
units that may be repeatedly charged/discharged so as to provide
sufficient output.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments are directed to a battery pack including a
plurality of battery units located side by side along a first
direction, each battery unit of the plurality of battery units
having an upper portion on which an electrode pin is located, a
protective circuit module located on and electrically connected to
each of the battery units, and a spacer including a first portion
between adjacent battery units among the battery units and a second
portion that extends from the first portion to the protective
circuit module, the second portion being in a space between the
adjacent battery units and the protective circuit module.
[0007] The second portion of the spacer may extend along a
direction that is substantially perpendicular to a length direction
of the first portion of the spacer.
[0008] The second portion of the spacer may contact a top surface
of at least one of the adjacent battery units and may contact a
bottom surface of the protective circuit module.
[0009] Each of the plurality of battery units may include a can
having an opening therein, an electrode assembly that is
accommodated in the can through the opening, the electrode assembly
including a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second
electrode plate having a second polarity, the second polarity being
different from the first polarity, and a separator interposed
between the first and second electrode plates, and a cap plate that
seals the opening. The electrode pin may extend from the cap plate
in an upward direction.
[0010] The electrode pin may have the first polarity. The cap plate
may have the second polarity.
[0011] Each of the plurality of battery units may include a holder
including a temperature-sensing element that is electrically
connected to the electrode pin.
[0012] A height of the second portion of the spacer may be
substantially the same as a height of the holder.
[0013] Each of the plurality of battery units may include a first
electrode tab on the upper portion of the battery unit and a second
electrode tab that is electrically connected to the
temperature-sensing element. The first and second electrode tabs
may directly contact the protective circuit module.
[0014] The battery pack may further include a case that
accommodates the battery units, the protective circuit module, and
the spacer.
[0015] The spacer may be fixed to the case.
[0016] Embodiments are also directed to a battery pack including a
plurality of battery units, each including a top surface having a
first polarity and an electrode pin having a second polarity that
is different from the first polarity, a protective circuit module
that is located on and electrically connected to each of the
battery units, and a spacer between adjacent battery units among
the battery units, the spacer extending to the protective circuit
module such that one end of the spacer supports a bottom surface of
the protective circuit module.
[0017] The spacer may include a first portion between the adjacent
battery units, and a second portion that contacts and supports the
bottom surface of the protective circuit module.
[0018] The first portion of the spacer and the second portion of
the spacer may be perpendicular to each other.
[0019] The second portion of the spacer may contact the top surface
of at least one of the adjacent battery units and contacts the
bottom surface of the protective circuit module.
[0020] The first portion and the second portion of the spacer may
constitute a "T" shape.
[0021] Each of the plurality of battery units may include a can
having an opening therein, the can being formed of a metal
material, an electrode assembly that is accommodated in the can
through the opening, the electrode assembly including a first
electrode plate having the first polarity, a second electrode plate
having the second polarity, and a separator between the first and
second electrode plates, and a cap plate that seals the opening and
forms the top surface of each battery unit. The electrode pin may
extend from the cap plate in an upward direction.
[0022] Each of the battery units may include a holder including a
temperature-sensing element that is electrically connected to the
electrode pin.
[0023] The holder may be between the top surface of each battery
unit and the bottom surface of the protective circuit module.
[0024] The battery pack may further include a case that
accommodates the battery units, the protective circuit module, and
the spacer.
[0025] The spacer may be fixed to the case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Features will become apparent to those of skill in the art
by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the
attached drawings in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a battery
pack according to an embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of
each of a plurality of battery units and a holder illustrated in
FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the battery
pack of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial front view of a portion IV of
FIG. 3; and
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a battery
pack according to another embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a line
VI-VI of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Example embodiments will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however,
they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed
as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough
and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to
those skilled in the art.
[0034] In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions
may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. Like reference
numerals refer to like elements throughout.
[0035] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a battery
pack according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 illustrates a partial
perspective view of each of a plurality of battery units 100
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery pack according to the
current embodiment may include the plurality of battery units 100,
a protective circuit module 200 that is electrically connected to
each of the plurality of battery units 100, and a spacer 300 that
electrically insulates the battery units 100 from each other.
[0038] The plurality of battery units 100 may be disposed side by
side along a first direction. For example, the plurality of battery
units 100 may be disposed side by side so that their top surfaces
are in the same direction. Sides of adjacent battery units 100 may
face each other. Each of the battery units 100 may be a lithium-ion
battery, that is, a secondary battery that may be recharged.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, each of the battery units 100
may include a can 110 having an opening formed therein, an
electrode assembly 104 accommodated in the can 110 through the
opening, a cap plate 120 that seals the opening of the can 110, an
electrode pin 122 formed on the cap plate 120, a holder 140 placed
on the cap plate 120, and first and second electrode tabs 131 and
132.
[0040] The can 110 may have an opened, approximately hexahedral top
surface and may be manufactured of a metallic material so as have
suitable resistance. For example, the can 110 may be manufactured
of aluminum (Al) or an Al alloy. After the electrode assembly 104
is inserted into the can 110 through the opening, the opening may
be sealed by the cap plate 120. The cap plate 120 may be
manufactured of a metallic material, such as Al or an Al alloy,
like the can 110. Portions where the cap plate 120 and the can 110
contact each other may be combined with each other through laser
welding such that an internal air-tight state may be
maintained.
[0041] The electrode assembly 104 may include a first electrode
plate 101 and a second electrode plate 102 onto which an electrode
active material is coated, and a separator 103 interposed
therebetween. The first electrode plate 101 and the second
electrode plate 102 may have different polarities. The electrode
assembly 104 may be manufactured in such a way that the first
electrode plate, the separator 103, and the second electrode plate
102 are sequentially stacked on the electrode assembly 104 and may
wound in a jelly roll shape.
[0042] In the current embodiment, the electrode assembly 104 has a
jelly roll shape. In other implementations, the electrode assembly
104 may be a stack structure in which the first electrode plate,
the separator 103, and the second electrode plate 102 are
sequentially stacked.
[0043] The electrode pin 122 may be formed on the cap plate 120.
The first electrode plate 101 may be electrically connected to the
electrode pin 122 via a lead 107, and the second electrode plate
102 may be electrically connected to the cap plate 120 via a lead
108. The first electrode plate 101 and the second electrode plate
102 may have different polarities. Accordingly, the electrode pin
122 and the cap plate 120 may have different polarities. For
example, the electrode pin 122 may have a negative electrode
polarity, and the cap plate 120 may have a positive electrode
polarity. A gasket 125 may be provided between the electrode pin
122 and the cap plate 120 so as to prevent a short circuit between
the electrode pin 122 and the cap plate 120. The gasket 125 may be
manufactured of an insulating material and may prevent an
electrical short circuit between the electrode pin 122 and the cap
plate 120.
[0044] The battery unit 100 may include the first and second
electrode tabs 131 and 132. The first and second electrode tabs 131
and 132 may serve as a positive electrode terminal and a negative
electrode terminal of a secondary battery.
[0045] For example, the first electrode tab 131 may be disposed on
the cap plate 120 and may be electrically connected to the cap
plate 120. When the cap plate 120 has a positive electrode
polarity, the first electrode tab 131 welded onto the cap plate 120
may also have a positive electrode polarity.
[0046] The second electrode tab 132 may be connected to the
electrode pin 122 and a temperature-sensing element 135, such as a
temperature cutoff (TCO). For example, the second electrode tab 132
may include a first portion 132a and a second portion 132b. One end
of the first portion 132a may be connected to the electrode pin
122, and the other end of the first portion 132a may be connected
to the temperature-sensing element 135. One end of the second
portion 132b may be connected to the temperature-sensing element
135 such that the second electrode tab 132 including the
temperature-sensing element 135 may be electrically connected to
the electrode pin 122.
[0047] The first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132 may be
disposed on the cap plate 120.
[0048] The cap plate 120 may have a positive electrode polarity, as
described above. Accordingly, if the holder 140, described below,
were not present, an electrical short circuit could easily occur
between the cap plate 120 and the second electrode tab 132 having a
negative electrode polarity. Thus, the second electrode tab 132 may
be disposed on the holder 140 put on the cap plate 120.
[0049] The holder 140 may accommodate the second electrode tab 132
and the temperature-sensing element 135. The holder 140 may include
an opening op formed in a position corresponding to a position of
the temperature-sensing element 135 such that the
temperature-sensing element may sensitively react to a change in
temperature of the battery unit 100.
[0050] The holder 140 may be fixed onto the battery unit 100 using
a fixing member, such as a tape 150, while accommodating the second
electrode tab 132 and the temperature-sensing element 135.
[0051] Referring back to FIG. 1, the protective circuit module 200
may be disposed on each battery unit 100 and may be electrically
connected to each battery unit 100 such that charging/discharging
of each battery unit 100 may be controlled. The protective circuit
module 200 may prevent overheating and/or explosion that could
occur due to overcharging, overdischarging or overcurrent of the
battery unit 100.
[0052] The protective circuit module 200 may include circuit boards
210, protective elements 220 mounted on the circuit boards 210, and
external terminals 230. The circuit boards 210 may extend along an
arrangement direction of the plurality of battery units 100, and
the protective elements 220 may be safety elements including
passive elements, such as resistors and capacitors of the circuit
boards 210, or active elements, such as field effect transistors
(FETs), and integrated circuits (ICs).
[0053] Each of the circuit boards 210 may include a connection hole
241. The first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132 provided on
each of the battery units 100 may be inserted into the connection
hole 241 formed in each circuit board 210 and the first and second
electrode tabs 131 and 132 and the circuit board 210 may be
soldered together. Patterns through which the battery units 100 may
be connected in series and/or in parallel, may be formed on the
circuit board 210. The first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132
of each battery unit 100 may be directly connected to the
connection hole 241 formed in the circuit board 210 such that the
plurality of battery units 100 may be charge/discharge-controlled
according to driving of the protective elements 220 and
simultaneously may be connected in series and/or in parallel.
[0054] The spacer 300 may be interposed between adjacent battery
units 100. One end of the spacer 300 may extend toward the
protective circuit module 200 so as to support the protective
circuit module 200. For example, the spacer 300 may include a first
portion 310 interposed between the adjacent battery units 100, and
a second portion 320 that extends from the first portion 310 to the
protective circuit module 200.
[0055] The first portion 310 of the spacer 300 may electrically
insulate the adjacent battery units 100 from each other. As
described previously with reference to FIG. 2, the can 110 and the
cap plate 120 of the battery unit 100 may be manufactured of a
metallic material, and the can 110 may be welded to the cap plate
120 such that the can 110 may have the same polarity as that of the
cap plate 120. When the battery units 100 are disposed side by
side, as illustrated in FIG. 1, if the spacer 300 were not present,
an undesired electrical connection between the adjacent battery
units 100 could be formed. However, in an embodiment, the first
portion 310 of the spacer 300 is interposed between the adjacent
battery units 100. Accordingly an undesired electrical connection
between the adjacent battery units 100 may be prevented.
[0056] The second portion 320 of the spacer 300 may be interposed
in a space (or a gap) between the protective circuit module 200 and
the battery unit 100 and may support the protective circuit module
200. The battery unit 100 may include the electrode pin 122 that
protrudes in an upward direction and the holder 140 may be
interposed on the battery unit 100. Accordingly a space may be
formed between the top surface of the battery unit 100 and a bottom
surface of the protective circuit module 200. When the second
portion 320 of the spacer 300 is interposed in the space, the
protective circuit module 200 may be supported and simultaneously
may be protected from an external force applied to the protective
circuit module 200.
[0057] A function and a detailed structure of the spacer 300 will
now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the battery
pack of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 illustrates a partial front view of a
portion IV of FIG. 3.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the spacer 300 may include the
first portion 310 that extends along a height direction of the
battery unit 100 and the second portion 320 that extends along a
direction that is substantially perpendicular to a length direction
of the first portion 310. For example, the first portion 310 and
the second portion 320 may constitute a "T" shape.
[0060] The second portion 320 of the spacer 300 may contact top
surfaces of the adjacent battery units 100 and the bottom surface
of the protective circuit module 200. For example, a bottom surface
of the second portion 320 of the spacer 300 may contact the top
surface of the battery unit 100 disposed at one side of the spacer
300 and the top surface of the battery unit 100 disposed at the
other side of the spacer 300, and a top surface of the second
portion 320 of the spacer 300 may contact the bottom surface of the
protective circuit module 200.
[0061] In the current embodiment, the spacer 300 constitutes the
"T" shape. In other implementations, the spacer 300 may constitute
a "" shape (for example, an L shape rotated 90.degree.. In this
case, the second portion 320 of the spacer 300 may contact only one
of the top surfaces of the adjacent battery units 100 and the
bottom surface of the protective circuit module 200.
[0062] A height h2 of the second portion 320 of the spacer 300 may
be substantially the same as a height h1 of the holder 140 placed
on the battery unit 100. The second portion 320 of the spacer 300
having substantially the same height as that of the holder 140 may
support the bottom surface of the protective circuit module 200
that is not supported by the holder 140 and may prevent assembly
characteristics of the battery pack from being lowered. For
example, the second portion 320 of the spacer 300 may prevent or
reduce the likelihood of twisting of or damage to the protective
circuit module 200.
[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a battery
pack according to another embodiment.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, a spacer 300 of the battery pack
according to the current embodiment may be fixed to a case 400. For
example, the spacer 300 may be fixed to the case 400 using an
adhesive or may be injection molded integrally with the case 400
and thus fixed to the case 400.
[0065] A plurality of battery units 100 and a protective circuit
module 200 may be accommodated in the case 400 to which the spacer
300 is fixed, and a top surface of the case 400 exposed to the
outside may be covered with an insulating label (not shown) or may
be covered by an upper case (not shown) that is coupled to the case
400.
[0066] As described above, according to the one or more of the
above embodiments, assembly characteristics of a battery pack may
be enhanced.
[0067] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although
specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be
interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purpose of limitation. In some instances, as would be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art as of the filing of the present
application, features, characteristics, and/or elements described
in connection with a particular embodiment may be used singly or in
combination with features, characteristics, and/or elements
described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwise
specifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those
of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *